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FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA, 



NOVEMBER 27, 1824. 



RECEPTIO N OF 



I GENERAL Li FMETTE 



IN FREDERICKSBURG. 

\KE within pages contain the full history of the 
visit of General La Fayette to the City of Fred- 
ericksburg during his visit to America in 1824. Nearly 
all the actors on that interesting event have passed over 
the river and joined the silent majority, including the 
illustrious chief actor ; but the narration as then written 
and now here reproduced, will be read with interest by 
the living feneration, and preserved for the use and 
information of those who are to come after us. 



My. 



RUFUS B. iVjJiRCHANT, 

pubi.is'her, 

fredericksburg, va. 



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FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA, 

NOVEMBER 27, 1824. 

RECEPTION OF GEN. LAFAYETTE 

IN J?'REDERICKSBURG. 



The citizens of Fredericksburg having been informed 
that General La Fayette would visit them, in compliance 
with their previous invitation, on Saturday (20th) the 
Committee of Arrangements deputed four of its mem- 
bers and two marshals, to meet him at the Wilderness 
Tavern, near the dividing line between Orange and 
Spotsylvania, distant 15 miles from town, to welcome his 
entrance into the county, to express the satisfation which 
was felt by the citizens in his expected visit, and to con- 
duct him to town. He did not arrive at the Wilderness 
until half-past two in the evening, escorted by a number 
of the citizens and the officers of Orange county, accom- 
panied by Capt. Robert Lewis and the Hon. James Bar- 
bour, Senator of the United States, (who was an invited 
guest,) and by the General's usual attendants, his son, 
and his friend, Mr. La Vasseur. Upon his arrival here 
he was received by a corps of about forty officers, hand- 
somely uniformed and equipped, wlio had assembled 
themselves from this and the neighbouring counties, 
under the command of Col. Gulielimus Smith, of Spot- 
sylvania ; Col. George M. Cooke, of Stafford ; and Col. 
John Stuart, of King George, as an escort upon the oc- 
casion, and by the deputies from Fredericksburg, who 
i.^ade known to him their duty, which called forth his 
tha.ikful acknowledgments. The tavern and the yard 
"ere thronged with young and old, male and female 
\ .Jtors, who had flocked from the neighbourhood to 
behold the nation's guest. The general and his company 
remained here about 30 minutes, whilst they partook of 
an excellent collation and the refreshments which had 
been provided for the occasion by Mr. Almond, the land- 
lord, who had been a soldier of the revolution. Having 
taken an affect" nate farewell of the citizens and the 
escort from C '-..ge, the General and his suite then took 



2 

tlieir departure for Fredericksburg, about 3 o'clock in 
the evening, in two carriages, each drawn by four horses, 
which had been provided and sent on for their convey- 
ance by the citizens of Fredericksburg. In the foremost 
of the two were seated Gen. La Fayette, Capt. Lewis and 
CoL Barbour, and in the second, George AVashington La 
Fayette, Mr. La Vasseur, and CoL LIugh Mercer, one of 
the deputies from Fredericksburg; and both preceded 
by the marshals and the carriage in which the other 
deputies rode. It was exceedingly interesting during the 
rapid ride to town, to behold the display of feeling 
which manifested itself along almost every part of the 
way ; the houses on the road-side were thronged witli 
spectators, — and frequent accessions of horsemen, some- 
times one and two, and sometimes inconsiderable num- 
bers, were falling into the ranks to increase the escort. 
In an hour and fifty minutes, and just at sunset, the 
party reached the parade ground, west of Fredericks- 
burg, in the following order : 

Two Marshals, 
Col. Smith, 

1st Corps of Officers, 

Committee of Arrangements, 

Guest, 

in a ca.rriage drawn by 

four white horses, 

Cols. Stewart and Cooke, 

2nd Corps of Officers, 

Gen'ls Suite 

in a carriage drawn by four black horses, 

Citizens on horseback. 
As the General approached the parade ground, the 
military, commanded by Maj. O. M. Crutchfield, and 
aided by Capt. D. Green, were formed in line upon the 
left, and parellel with the turnpike road, in the follow- 
ing order : On the right of the whole, a company com 
posed of youths, between 12 and 16 years of age neatly 
uniformed and armed with pikes, who had embodied 
themselves by the name of La Fayette Cadets, to the 
number of 40, under the command of Col. \Vm. F. Gray, 
by whose skill and diligence they had been trained to 
the most exact precision in all their evolutions. This 
corps of little military gave inexpressible interest to 
this and all the subsequent military exhibitions, and 
which seemed to be very sensibly felt by the General 
himself. Next to them was stationed Capt D. Green's 



handsome company of Riflemen, from Falmouth ; next 
in order, the Rifle Company of Capt. T. H. Botts, and 
upon their left, the Washington Guards, all of them 
liandsomely uniformed and equipped ; in the centre of 
the whole, the Marine Band from Washington, which 
was politely lent by Col. Henderson for the occasion. 
As the General and Suite advanced upon the right the 
whole line saluted, and as they cleared the left, Col. 
Stanard, who was apprised by signal, fired a Federal 
salute from the artillery stationed in the suburbs, and 
thus announced to the eager and anxious citizens the 
approach of their father, the friend and benefactor of 
mankind. In the rear of the military, and under the 
directiefri of Major H. M. Patton, chief marshal, aided 
by Capt. Jas. Green, between two and three hundred 
citizens from the town and neighborhood on horseback 
were arranged in line, and added greatly to the beauty 
and eft'ectof the most imposingandgratifying spectacle. 
Tlio carriages having passed, the military wheeled into 
column and fell into procession ; next followed, in reg- 
ular order, citizens on horseback. Upon approaching 
the town a numerous body of respectable citizens joined 
the procession, and the whole advanced down Hanover 
towards Caroline street. The day-light began to close, 
and as the procession moved slowly on, darkness was 
stealing over the scene, and began to impair, in some 
degree, its imposing effect. Witliout any i3revious notice 
or concert, (for the arrival had been expected some hours 
sooner,) the light beamed from window to window, as if 
by magic, until almost a general illumination lighted 
its march. The procession having arrived at the corner 
of the Farmers' Hotel, on Caroline street, suddenly the 
adjacent houses on both sides of the street were beau- 
tifully and tastefully illuminated, and the effect was 
as gratifying as unexpected. It would be unjust to omit 
noticing tiie beautiful and appropriate transparency 
exhibited in front of the residence of H. Marshall, Esq., 
in which the features of the 'guest' were correctly de- 
lineated ; an angel hovered over his head ; the genius of 
liberty stood by his side, and blew from her trumpet, 
'• Welcome La Fayette " Underneath was written, — 

■'A name iuseiibed deeply in tlie roll of fame; 
It shall descend honored to the latest posterity." 

Its effect upon the assembled multitude was evinced 
by a slight pause in the procession and whisx)ered sounds 



— 4— 

of applause. The procession continued to move on 
slowly to the Town Hall, in front of which it halted ; 
and the military advancing, took position in front of the 
Hall, extending a line from each flank to the sides of the 
platform, their banners and bright arms glittering in the 
blaze of the illumination. When thus formed, the La 
Fayette Cadets were admitted into the centre, their 
white uniforms neatly trimmed with red, gleaming 
spears and handsome banner, added greatly to the inter- 
esting-scene. The General and suite were conducted 
tlirough the lines to the platform, where he was ad- 
dressed by the Mayor, as follows : 

"Gex. La Layette: In the name of upwards of four 
thousand of my fellow-citizens of the town of Freder- 
icksburg and Falmouth, I bid you a cordial welcome to 
this section of Virginia, not very remote from one of 
the most important scenes of your heroic achievements 
in the cause of our beloved country, the inhabitants of 
tliis district feel a long and fondly cherished veneration 
for your illustrious name, and tender you the expres- 
sions of their affectionate regards and high considera- 
tion with unfeigned sincerity and delight. 

The presence of the friend of AV^ashington excites the 
tenderest emotions and association among a people 
whose town enjoys the distinguished honor of having 
been the residence of the Father of His Country during 
the days of his childhood and youth, and among wliom, 
also, the gallant Mercer lived, and the veteran Weedon 
died. 

(jur limited population and facilities will not admit 
of the pageantry of a splendid reception to our gener- 
ous benefactor. We cannot vie with our sister cities in 
the erection of triumphal arches, the display of mili- 
tary parades, and other magnificent exhibitions, but in 
feelings of unmingled gratitude and love towards your 
venerable person, we cannot yield to any, tmdare happy 
in the assurance tliat this is the offering which will 
prove most grateful to one who, having done so much 
to break the fetters of tyranny from the human mind, 
has evinced how highly lie can estimate its free and un- 
biased sentiments. Li the various manifestations of 
I)ublic homage and exultation which have everywhere 
greeted your arrival on our shores, we have, however, 
truly sympathised. We have rejoiced to see that the 
National feeling has so cordially responded to the voice 



— 5— 

of duty and obligation, and tliat in tlie unwearied and 
reiterated efforts made to honor your illustrious pres- 
ence, it has been strikingly evinced that the nation con- 
siders itself as owing you a debt which can never be paid. 

Numbering ourselves among those who most deeply 
feel the weight of obligation imposed on us by your 
chivalric and magnanimous devotion to the honor and 
interest of America, we again beg you to accept the 
tender of our most respectful salutations and cordial 
welcome to our homes." 

To which the General replied, — 

''I cordially rejoice, sir, in the happy opportunity to 
re-visit this district, where the united citizens of Fred- 
ericksburg and Falmouth, in addition to the obligations 
they had formerly conferred upon me, are pleased to 
welcome my arrival with new and highly valued testi- 
monies of their friendship. 

At this place, sir, which recalls to our recollection 
several among the most honorable names of the revo- 
lutionary war, I did, many years ago, salute the first 
residence of our paternal chief , received the blessing of 
his venerated mother, and of his dear sister, your own 
respected parent. 

Here now, as at Mount Vernon, Vv^e are left to mourn 
for departed friends and parents. An immense Wj'sh- 
ington Monument has already been erected on the whole 
basis of American Independence. Indeed, to our own 
revolution we may proudly ascribe tlie emancipation of 
those new and vast southern republics, in behalf of 
Avhich, at every step of my i)rogress througli the United 
States, I have found the unanimous spirit of the people 
most warmly interested. 

With a profound sense of your flattering and affec- 
tionate reception in tiiis city, with a lively satisfaction 
in the great improvements I have the pleasure to wit- 
ness, I beg you, sir, and all of you, gentlemen, to accept 
my devoted wishes and respectful acknowledgments. " 

The General and his suite were then conducted into 
the Town Mall, which liad been decorated with ever- 
greens and flowers by the ladies with their own hands, 
in a style of simplicity and neatness, which reflects as 
much credit upon their zeal and industry as upon their 
taste. As soon as lie entered the room, a choir of little 
girls, crowned with garlands, who were seated on the 
opposite side of the room, rose and sung to an appro- 



— G— 

priate air, the followin,i? words, composed by William 
McFarlaud, Esq., for the occasion : 

Our Father has flar'cl the wild strife of the sea. 

And come o'er to the home and the hearts of the free; 

The shouts of a nation attend on his march, 

And the soft hands of beauty his pathway o'erarch, 

As he moves in his triumph all bloodless and pure, 

Thro' the land where he hew'd out his red path of yore. 

In our darkness and peril the light of his brand 
Blazed a beacon to point thro' the tempest to land. 
And Fayette was the first, when the deluge was o"er, 
'I'o bear us the palm branch of peace from the shore. 
When the ark of young freedom found rest from the wave. 
And our land was no longer the land of the slave. 

Thou art with us again, and all words are too weak 
The deep tlioughth that burn in our bosom to speak ; 
Thou art with us again, and the sky looks more bright. 
And the breath of the air blows more balmy and light, 
And our streams as they move in their coolness along. 
Seem to brighten with pleasure and burst into song. 

Lov'd friend of our Fathers! brave champion of truth. 

The stem which you batli'd with the blood of your youth 

Has bourgeois'd and grown till its arms spread a shade ^ 

Where the \vrong"d and the wretched find shelter and aid; 

And the exile of Europe pours blessings on thee 

As the green boughs wave o"er him of freedom's fair tree. 

Then rest dearest Father! rest thou in its shade. 
Now that time his cold hand on thy temples has laid; 
The deeds of thy youth will pass freshlv in view. 
And the grasp of old comrades thy spring time renew 
Our mothers will cherish and watch thy repose. 
And the smiles of their children cheer life as it close. 

This song was sung inimitably ; and the exquisite efiect 
produced by this melodious ett'usion of infant love to the 
iUustrious benefactor of our country can only be conceived 
by those who witnessed it. It was manifest that he felt it 
deep!}-, and he returned his thanks to the young ladies after 
the song was finished, with the most affectionate tender- 
ness, lie was then introduced to the members of the 
committee of arrangements, and to the members of the 
council and justices of the peace. After remaining some 
short time in the Town Hall the General and his suite 
returned to their carriages, when the procession formed 
again, and conducted them around by the Masonic Hall 
into Caroline street, and up to his apartments in the spa- 
cious building of Mr. James Ross, who had in a manner, 
which does much honor to his zeal and sjenerosity, surren- 
dered his house and furniture to the Cc^rporation for the 
occasion. These apartments had been embellished and fur- 
nished in a style of the utmost neatness and comfort, under 
the direction of the ladies and with the assistance of the 
committee appointed for the purpose. Immediately on his 
arrival here refreshments were presented, and soon after 
the guest and his suite and sevei'al of tlie gentlemen wdio 
had been in attendance upon him during the day, sat down 



— 7— 

to a veiy handsome dinner. About 9 o'clock the party 
retired from the dinner table, and the General and his suite, 
accompanied by the Ma^'or and Col. Mercer, were conveyed 
to the Farmer's Hotel, to partake of a very splendid ball, 
which wlinted nothing that expense could procure, or taste 
could embellish, to make complete. It was attended by an 
overflowing company from all the adjoining counties, and 
sehlom has an occasion been graced with so much beauty, 
or enjoyed with such decent festivity. At 11 o'clock the 
(4eneral retired to his lodgings, and at 12 the ball ended. 

SUNDAY. 

On Sunday morning, by previous ijivitation, the General, 
his son, and iVTr. La Vasseur visited "Fredericksburg Lodge, 
No. 4," which on this occasion was joined by many of the 
brethren from the neighboring Lodges. The spacious Hall 
was completely tilled. The ceremonies were touching and 
solemn. The perfect order, profound silence and deferen- 
tial respect which was evinced by each individual, spoke in 
plainer language than words the intense feeling that per- 
vaded the assembly. Previous to the General's reception 
in the Lodge he was, on motion of one of the members, 
duly elected an /iO?;orrt/7/ ??i£;w.6er. On his etitrance, as his 
name was announced, the members rose, and the Worshipful 
Master, (Col. Wm. F. Gray,) descending from his seat, 
addressed him as follows : 

"Brother La Fayette: Li the name of my assembled 
brethren, I bid you welcome to our Lodge, welcome to our 
homes, welcome to our hearts. We tliankyou, my Brother, 
heartily thank you, for this visit. We are proud of this 
opportunity of standing on a level with one whose noble 
exertions in the cause of humanity has filled the world with 
his name. Whilst millions of freemen are rushing forth 
with enthusiasm to liail yonv arrival, and exhausting every 
device of taste and liberality to swell the full tide of a 
nation's gratitude to one of her most illustrious benefactors, 
we, as Masons, desire to greet you by the endearing ties of 
our profession, and renew to you, in the sincerity of our 
hearts, those mystic and sacred pledges of fidelity and 
brotlicrl}! love, which are due to your exalted virtues. 

On this occasion, my Brother, it cannot be uninteresting 
to you, as the earlj- friend and companion-in-arms of our 
beloved Washington, to know that this Lodge boasts the 
honor of being his parcni Lodge. Our records assure us, that 
on the 4th day of November, A. L. 5752. the /^//^^o/ M<.sw?r_y 
here first burst upon his sight; antl that within the pale of 



\ 



this Lodge he subsequently sought and obtained* further 
illumination. Here he first studied those libei'al, tolerant 
and benevolent principles of our order, which have since, 
under Heaven, been througli him and his worth}- compat- 
riots so happily diti'nsed through the free institutions of our 
Government, lie is gone from among us, but the recollec- 
tion of his sei'vices and his virtues is indelibly engraven on 
our hearts. 

We feel a peculiar gratiiication, ni}- honored Bi'other, in 
l)eholding jioa standing within the body of the Lodge where 
he has so often stood and assisted in our labors of love. We 
would gUidly avail ourselves of the occasion to testify to 
you our respect and fraternal regard by receiving you into 
■ our liousehold. I have the pleasure of informing you that 
this Lodge has to-day elected you an honorary member; 
and I am instructed to express to you our united earnest 
recpiest that you will, before you leave us, inscribe your 
name upon the list of members. It already bears the names 
of Washington, Mercer, Woodfoed, Weedon, and many 
others distinguished for their virtues, and whose names live 
in oar country's history. It will be a lasting source of 
honorable pride to know that it also bears the name of 
La Fayette. Future inend)ers will peruse the proceedings 
of this day with devout interest, and will delight to trace 
the characters inscribed by your hand. 

My beloved Bi'other, you will soon leave us, we may 
never more meet; but the anniversary of your advent 
among us will hereafter form a bright day in our calendar; 
and yearly, as we assemble to celebrate it, your good deeds 
will be freshly remembered. We would fain indulge the 
hope that the evening of your days may be spent in this 
happy country, peacefully sheltered under the vine and the 
fifj tree, which your youthful hands assisted in plantim;, and 
your valor in defending. But, if that may not be, where'r 
you go, in whatsoever land you may bide the remainder of 
your time in this tabernacle of clay, our earnest and un- 
ceasing prayer shall be, that the blessing of Heaven may be 
round you and over you, and when it shall [ilease the 
Omniscient to call you hence, may you bei-eceived into the 
Grand Lodge above, amowg thespirits of the Just nutde [)eri'ect. 

To which the General replied, to the following etl'ect: 

Ml/ Dear Sir, and you mij Brethren, — The [jleasure 1 ever 
feel in our fraternal meetings cannot be enhanced on this 
occasion l)y the consideration that in this cit}' the first les- 
sons of childhood, in this Lodge, the first lights of Alasonry, 
were conferred upon the num who wasfii'st in all our hearts. 



— 9— 
\ 

In .Masonry he was our brother, in matters of state he was 

our father. I shall be happy, sir, to see my name united 

with those respected names, most dear to my heart, that 

3'oujiave jast mentioned. And I beg yon ail, my Brethren, 

to Accept my affectionate thanks for the favor you have 

conferred upon me, and whicli you, sir, have been pleased 

so kiiidl}' to announce. The General was then conducted 

to his seat, and the book containing the roll of members 

tieing [)resented to him, he subscribed his name to it. 

A procession was then formed, consisting of the most 
numerous assendilage of the Masonic Brethren that had 
ever been witnessed in Fredericksburg. In their peculiar 
order, the Committee of Arrangements, the civil authori- 
ties of the town and the military oiKcers, and the General 
.and his suite, wei;^ conducted to the Episcopal Church, 
where an excellent'discourse was delivered to an overflow- 
ing congre>ration, by the Kev. Ed. C. McGuire. The text 
was taken from 139th Psahn, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 verses, 
and the subject, the omnipotence of God, involving reflec- 
tions on his jiarticular agency in the affairs of men. The 
following is an extract: 

"It inspires us with precious hope for ourselves and for 
all mankind. It is full of promise that ice shall grow and 
})ros[)er in every principle and work of holiness, and that 
soon the world throughout its darkest and most aiflicted 
regions shall reahze at once the brightest visions of the 
philanthropist, and the longing expectations of the saint, 
when God wlio hears the groans of nature in this nether 
world, and hears in inflnite compassion, will put forth His 
[)Owerin surrounding us with those scenes of accomphshed 
i)liss, foretold by prophets and by poets sung, in which 
universal peace and love shall reign, in which the sword 
shall be beat into the plough-share, and the spear into the 
priming-hook, in which the wolf and the lamb shall feed 
together, and none shall bo found to hurt or to destroy in 
all God's holy mountain. 

"That this glorious day is already dawning upon the 
world, whoever notes the signs of this distinguished age, 
nmst surely see. In hindrance of that illustrious era the 
civil and spiritual degradation of many of the nations of 
Christendom has heretofore opposed the must unyielding 
obstacles. Slavery in mind or body is the deadly foe of 
human happiness and human honour. 

" Tis liberty alone that gives the flow'r 
Of fleeting life its lustre and perfume. 
Aiul we are weeds without it. All constraint, 
Except what wisdom laj's on evil men, 



—10— 

Is evil; hurts the faculties, impedes 

Their progress in the road of science; blinds 

The eye sight of discovery; and begets 

In those that suffer it, a sordid mind ; 

Bestial, a meagre intellect, unfit 

To be the tenant of man's noble form. 

But in relation to all the obstructions of human happi- 
ness, God hath said, "1 will overturn, overturn, overturn, 
till he comes, whose right it is." In doingtliis, God works 
by means. lie lays under c(nitribution all the powers of 
nature, puts in requisition all the energies of man, when he 
would achieve his bright designs. And is not the history 
of our day strongly marked with the indications of His 
agency in unsettling the foundations of tyranny, in vindi- 
cating the equal rights of man, and furthering the cause of 
universal liberty atid peace ? What else can mean this 
mighty moral excitement, so widely pervadingthe reviving 
nations? What means tliis growing activity and thought- 
fulness of the human mind ? What this restless longing 
after some new and untried goods? Never surely was the 
human mind more in earnest than at the present moment. 
The political conmiotions, which from such prominent dis- 
tinctions of our age, have sprung from some deep and pow- 
erful working of the human soul. Men seem to have caught 
glimpses, however indistinct, of the dignity, rights and 
great interests of their nature; and a thiist for prohibited 
blessings, and impatience of long-endured wrongs, have 
broken out wildly, like the fires of Etna, and shaken and 
convulsed the earth. See you not in these things, assem- 
bling and eml)attling his hosts for deeds of glorious war, in 
riijhteous judgment waged against his foe, that subduing 
them under his feet, he may urge on to their bright and 
glorious consummation, his sublime and merciful designs in 
favour of our afflicted race ? May God in mercy speed tbe 
auspicious end, in pity and forbearance wielding his ''rod of 
iron," 3-et with resistless energy, constraining the benign 
and propitious reign of universal peace and love. In fur- 
therance of his purposes of unquestionable love, may he raise 
up and long sustain the friends and aven<»:ers of oppressed 
and suffering humanity. May He especially regard with 
favour, and crown with bles.sings, the illustrious advocate 
and defender of man's equal riglits, at whose feet this ha] tpy 
and grateful land dclighis to lay its tribute of profoundest 
gratitude and love. May the evening of his days be crowned 
with the blessings of providence and grace, and his eternity 
with the joys of Heaven, through the merits and interces- 
sions of Jesus Christ our Lord and ^Saviour." — Amen. 

After service, the order of procession was resumed, and 



— li- 
the (Tencral waseondiicted to his apartments. Hiscarriao;e' 
Avas ill waitinii* f<»i" him at tlie church, hut he flecliued the 
use of it, and insisted on walkino- in the procession. This 
wns an additional gTatiticati'Mi to tlie anxious multitude 
Avho with eaarer gaze followed the procession to get a near 
look (ti ]nm. Tlie Masonic Brethren having returned to their 
Lodge Room, he was waited upon by a number of gentle- 
men who called during tlie morning to lie presented. His 
company at dinner was small, an^ong whom were the Hon. 
Judges Brooke and Coaller, and such of the citizens whose 
duties rerpiired them to he present. Atter dinner Mr. Geo. 
W. ]ja Fayette departed alone in a privatecarriage, having 
refused tlie most eai'nest solicitation of the Committee of 
Arrangement for some of its members to accompany him. 
The evening was spent by the General in the company of a 
few of the rehitives of Washington, at Gapt. Bobert Lewis's, 
when he reUred to his lodgings about 9 o'clock at night. 

MONDAY. 

On Monday, at 11 o'clock, the military, accompanied by 
the La Fayette Cadets, proceeded to escort the General 
from his quarters to the Town TTall, and the General, alone 
in a chariotee. drawn by four white horses, accompanied by 
the Mayor and sovei'al distinguished persons in a carriage 
di'awn hy fourlilack horses; the whole pi'eceded by a corps 
of officers under the command of Cols. Cooke and Stuart, 
jToceeded tin ough the principal streets of the town, sur- 
rounded and followed !)}• sti'angers and citizens, all evincing 
the utmost solicitude to behold him. '^I'lie solicitation of 
the officers could not induce the General to remain covered, 
though exposed throughout to the glare of the sun. As 
he passed, the fair sex greeted him in every dii-ection, and 
upon his arrival at the Hall, hundreds of ladies thronged to 
welcoiue and show how happy his presence made them all. 
The General remained 'till 2 o'clock, and was introduced to 
all who desired and had not previously been introduced. 
This occupied aliout three hours, and it is but just to the 
citizens to remark upon their exemplary conduct upon this 
and all occasions where the (ileneral made his appearance; 
it was maui tested by their respectful silence as lie passed 
among them. 

At 2 o'clock the General proceeded in the same order to 
his quarters, and as the period of his departure approached 
many crowded to have a better, perhaps a last look; and 
tlie anxiety seemed to pervade the aged and 3'outhful of 
either sex. At half-past 2 o'clock the General and his asso- 



—12— 

ciate, Mr. La Vasseur, were conducted to Mr. Gray's Tav- 
ern, where a most sumptuous dinner had been provided, to 
Avhich about one liundred and twenty, from various parts of 
tlie country, among whom were the Hon. F. T. Brooke, 
iMajor (Tabriel Lonii and Col. A. Murray, and other survi- 
ving officers unci soldiers of the revolution, sat down. The 
Mayor presided at the first table, supported by Capt. George 
Buckner, vice-president; and at the second. Judge Brooke, 
aided by Col. Thomas Minor, vice-president. The arrange- 
ment of the feast was excellent; the festivity was clieerful 
and becoming; every heart was animated with love and 
with joy. Col. Henderson's fine musical band, belonging to 
the Marine Corps at Washington, heightened the display. 
The following toasts were drank: 

1 The Spirit of '76.— The ligrht, beamins: truth upon the ways of error, and diffusing^ 
warmth through all the social relations of man. Air: "The Rights of Man." 

8 France— She was the first ally of the United States— may the friendship between 
them be indissoluble. Air: "The White Cockade."' 

3 Tlte Memory of Washington. — His services belons: to us, his fame to the world, and 
his virtues to Heaven. Air: "Washington's Dead March." 

4 TIic Heroes of the American Revolution — A host of names worthy to follow those 
of Washinsrton and La tayette — our liberties shall never perish but with their memory. 
Air: "Roslin Castle. " 

5 General Hugh Mercer — Fredericksburg was adorned by his life, his country by his 
death. Air: "German Hymn." 

6 General La. Fayette. — The Dungeon of Olmutz has brightened into glory, and its 
chains have budded into an imperishable evergreen around the brow of the friend of 
freedom and of man. Air: "General La Fayette's March." 

When this toast was drank, the General arose, and with 
much feeling expressed his acI<now]edgments for the honors 
wliich had been done him, and gave the following toast: 

The City of Fredericksbiti-g—tirst residence of Washington.— May she more and more 
attain all the prosperity which independence, republicanism and industry cannot fail to 
procure. 

Col. Gray and Mr. Austin then sung the following song, 
which was composed for the occasion, by Wm. Macfarlane, 

Esq.: 

Tune, "A7iacreon in Heaven.'''' 

There are moments so bright, in the darkness of time. 

That they pour, as they pass, amillenium of bliss! 
And a moment more ardent, more glowing, sublime! 
Never brightened our brows and our bosoms like this. 
From the ocean's deep roar. 
On our dear native shore, 
Stands the friend of our fathers, whose young blood of yore, 
The shoots of fairlilierty's blossom first wet 
The fearless, reproachless and peerless Fayette. 

O'er our fathers who followed thy banner of old. 

The grass of the dark dreamless grave is now waving ; 
But they told to their sons, e'er their spirits grew cold. 
That whei'e blood freest flovv'd in the battle's wild raving, 
Thy crest of pure white 
Flew abroad o'er the fight. 
And thy sword flash d a meteor avenging and bright! 
And they left us thy curse, should we ever forget 
Th' young champion of freedom, the brave La Fayette. 



—13— 

Can we ever forget? ask our brothers arorinrl. 

Whose spirits flash out as tliey hear the proud story. 
Like our fathers of old, vvlien tlie trumpet's hixh souiiJ 
Bade them follow thy foot-prints to freedom and jclory. 
Oh 1 there cannot be found, 
Of the freemen around, 
A man who'd not pour his best blood on the g;round, 
E'era pansf shouM assail, or a tear-drop should wet 
The eye of "our Father," the good La Fayette 

And is virtue a name, as the proud Roman said? 

Let the cold hearted skeptic peruse thy life's story. 

And behold the fjreen circle trutli binds round thy head. 

As the pledfje of thy virtue, and meed of thy glory, 

And say what are all. 

The Crown, Sceptre and Ball, 

To the tears from the freeman's veiled eyelids that fall, 

"Till his cheek and the folds of his mantle are wet 

With the dew which the spirit pours out to Fayette 

And /.s virtue a name? Man's vain marbles of clay. 

Shine proudly awhile, and destruction rolls o'er them. 
And the "pageants" that rear'd them are transient as they, 
And shall pass like a dream with the slaves who adore them. 
But virtue stands fast, 
And serene to the last. 
And shines out when the last wave of time has roU'd past, 
And while earth bears a freeman, he cannot forget 
Humanity champion— the great La Fayette. 

7 The American Rei-oluf ion. —"May the immense temple which we have raised to 
libertv ever offer a lesson to oppressors, an example to the oppressed, and an asylum to 
the rights of mankind." Vide La Fayette's parting address to Congress. Air: "Jeffer- 
son and Liberty." 

8 The Family of La Grange. — 

"When soon or late they touch the coast, 

O'er life's rough ocean driven, 
BJay they rejoice, no wanderer lost, 

A family in Heaven." 

Air: "Portuguese Hymn." 

The Aiinij and Navy of the United States.— They have supported the glory of their 
Fathers. Air: "Hearts of Oak." 

10 The President of the United States. — Air: "Monroe's March." 

11. The Memory of Franklin.— France and America have vied in honoring his great- 
ness. Air: "Constitutional March." 

12 South America.— \i> she has followed the example, may her destinies be as glorious 
as those of North America. Air: "Liberty," 

1.3 The American i^air.— Their gratitude is as warm as their virtues are pre-eminent. 
Air: "Haste to the Wedding.'' 

VOLUNTEERS. 

By the Mayor.— Our respected Senator in the Congress of the United States, Col. 
James Barbour; and our immediate representative, Col. P. P. Barbour. 

The health of Coh James Bai'bour being drank, as well 
as of his bi-othei', Col. P. P. Barbour, our representative in 
Congress, who "was absent, the former rose, and in a very 
impressive manner returned his thanks to the people of 
Fi-edericksburo; for invitins; him to ioin with them on the 
present occasion, and took the opportunity, m a strain ot 
very happy eloquence, of paying a just tribute of praise to 
our distinguished guest and the officers of tbe revolution 
who were present, and concluded -with the follow^ing toast: 

The grateful offering of freemen to the benefactor of mankind must be acceptable to 
Heaven. 

By Mr. La Vassevr.— The citizens ot the United States; let the monarchs of Europe 
visit them, and even they would fall in love with liberty. 

By Col. Hugh JVfercer.— Patriotism, ardently and nobly displayed in greeting and 
welcoming to our shores with expanded hearts and arms, the illustrious benefactor of 
our country. 



—14— 
By Mr. William Bernard, — 

General La Fayef^e.— The associate in arms of our beloved Washington, may his de- 
clininfr days pass away asserenely as his former wei'e brilliant ami jjlorious. 
By Mr. Herard. —The triumph of liberty in every part of the world. 

At 5 o'clock a damp was thrown npon the whole com- 
paii}^ bv its being' annonnced that the carriages waited to 
conduct the (-Jeneral on his road to Washington. Tlie 
feeling evinced can be known only to those who have ex- 
perienced how distressing it is to separate from those they 
love, when it is probable they part to '-meet no more." 
For a mile or two, the road was thronged by the eager 
crowd, composed of ladies of the lirst respectability and of 
all ages, who encountered on foot the danger and inconven- 
ience of the situation, to bid him a dieu again and again. 

At the boundary of Stafford county, the military from 
Fredericksburg and Falmouth, with the La Fayette Cadets, 
formed in line, and the General bid them an affectionate 
adieu; and it was here that the Committee of Arrange- 
ments, through their oflicers, surrendered the conduct of 
the procession to the care of Col. Cooke, and other officers 
and citizens of Stafford. The Col. welcomed the guest in 
an affectionate and eloquent address, to which a feeling" 
rpply was given; at the conclusion of which, the procession 
moved on to the steamboat landing, distant 8 miles, where 
an anxious crowd were assembled to greet and bid him 
adieu, and accordingly escorted him to the steamboat, 
amidst the blaze of torches and the music of the Marine 
Band. 

Whilst the citizens were surrendering, with lingering 
comi)liance, to their brethern of Stafford the charge of the 
personage, around whom their affections were clinging 
with so much warmth, a little incident originated in the 
spontaneous effussions of the Cadets, which greatly lieight- 
ened the feeling of the separation. When the carriage 
stopped in Stafford, this little corps was drawn up along 
side of it — the General, bowing to them from the window, 
with the tenderest affection said, "Farewell my little 
Guards." On voices of faltering love, they all immediately 
responded, "Farewell, La Fayette," was exclaimed by all. 

Tiie intense and ardent feelings which mingled in the 
scenes which we have faintly attempted to describe, which 
tlirobbed in the bosoms and glistened in the eyes of all of 
every age and sex, and condition, who attended them, we 
have not attempted to exhibit. They will long dwell upon 
the remembrance of those who witnessed and partook in 
them; and they will be readily supplied by those who feel, 



—15— 

or can catch the sympathy of American affection for the 
great and good La b'aj'ette. In none were these feelings 
more conspicuous than the female part of our citizens, who 
contributed all that zeal could prompt or industry could 
prepare, or beauty could grace, or taste display, or affec- 
tion could make acceptable, for the benefactor whom the}' 
delighted to honor. 

The honors which have welcomed the arrival of this 
distinguished guest in our country, and the tribute of una- 
bated love and admiration which continues to cheer him 
wheresoever he moves in the extensive dominion of this 
free i»eople, exhibit a moral spectacle to the world as novel 
as it isimposino:. Wlieresoever hei)resents himself, amidst 
every variety of situation, of circumstance, and of charac- 
ter, his presence excites but one sentiment, so intense as to 
suspend every other feeling, and so entire as wholly to 
engross the heart. However that sentiment may manifest 
iiself, whether in the splendor of metropolitan refinements, 
or in the offering of village or rural simplicity, it is still 
the same, equally sincere and equally ardent. It is still the 
homage of love and gratitude and admiration to virtue, a 
homage which seeks every varied mode of expression, and 
still is conscious how much remains that could not be 
expressed We are erecting the proudest monument which 
virtue could claim foi- her commemcration, and we are un- 
consciously perpetrating, in the honors erected to her, the 
memorials of our own love of virtue and of truth. It is 
at the same time exhibiting to the world the most striking 
evidence of the value of our institutions, the price at which 
our people estimate them, and the spirit which guards and 
[protects them. As the offering of individual affection to 
a benefactor, how interesting is the scene ! All ages and 
sexes and conditions, uniting and blending the testimonials 
of their love to one man whom all consider alike their 
friend But, as the concentrated admiration of ten mil- 
lions of freemen, offered to the steady friend of freedom 
and of man, by whom the cause of liberty has been so em- 
inently promoted throughout the world, it is a subject 
worthy of history to record, and for nations to peruse and 
draw instruction from. 



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